Subhadra Shakti Cafe Inaugurated in Bhubaneswar, Showcasing Odisha’s Push for Women-Led Entrepreneurship

Bhubaneswar: In a significant boost to women-led enterprise in Odisha, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the Subhadra Shakti Cafe at the serene Anandabana campus in Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar. The café, managed entirely by Self Help Group (SHG) women, represents the evolving development model of the state, focused on empowering women through entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic participation.

The initiative is spearheaded by members of the Bhuasuni Self Help Group, who received specialised training in hospitality at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Bhubaneswar. This training was part of a larger capacity-building effort by the Department of Mission Shakti, aimed at preparing SHG women to manage and grow their own enterprises.

More than just a food outlet, the Subhadra Shakti Cafe serves as a dynamic platform for SHG women to apply their skills in a professional setting. The menu features a diverse mix of nutritious and contemporary offerings, including breakfast items, snacks, cold-pressed juices, herbal teas, lassi, coconut shakes, cold coffee, mocktails, smoothies, and milkshakes, appealing to the tastes of Bhubaneswar’s vibrant urban population.

With Odisha leading the nation under the Lakhpati Didi programme, which has enabled over 16 lakh women to earn ₹1 lakh or more annually, the launch of such cafes reflects the state’s next leap — from income generation to sustained wealth creation. These initiatives are transforming SHG members into entrepreneurs and community leaders.

Addressing the gathering, Parida said, “Every new café, enterprise, or product line led by women brings us closer to our goal of a self-reliant, Viksit Odisha. We are not just promoting livelihoods, we are building a culture of dignity, leadership, and independence.”

Ekamra Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shalini Pandit, Mission Shakti Director Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, and senior officials from Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) and the Mission Shakti Department were also present at the inauguration, reaffirming their commitment to scale such initiatives across the state.